MONTGOMERY — Marshall County District Attorney Steven Marshall was appointed Friday by Gov. Robert Bentley to be the new Alabama Attorney General.

Marshall’s appointment follows Bentley’s decision to appoint Luther Strange to Sen. Jeff Sessions’ seat after Sessions was confirmed as the next U.S. Attorney General.

Bentley began interviews to fill the Attorney General’s office Thursday. Over the course of two days he interviewed Mary Scott Hunter, Steve Marshall, Alice Martin, Chris McCool, Bryan Taylor, Cam Ward, Tom Whatley and Phil Williams.

“It is a great honor to be named Attorney General, and I am thankful to Governor Bentley for the opportunity to serve the people of Alabama,” Marshall said in a statement. “The time spent working alongside law enforcement for the last 20 years has been a remarkable privilege. As Attorney General, we will continue to support their efforts to keep Alabamians safe and free from violent crime.”

Since 2001, Marshall has served as the DA for the 27th Judicial Circuit, which is comprised of Marshall County. Previously, Marshall formed the law firm McLaughlin & Marshall. He also served as a district representative for Alabama and Georgia to the American Bar Association and was a member of the Alabama Young Lawyers Executive Committee.

While practicing in Marshall County, he served as a legal analyst for the Alabama House of Representatives for several legislative sessions. During that time he was the prosecutor for the Arab and Albertville municipal courts and served as municipal attorney for Arab.

“Steve is a well-respected District Attorney with impeccable credentials and strong conservative values,” Bentley said in a statement. “I know he will be a great Attorney General who will uphold the laws of this state and serve the people of Alabama with fairness. Steve has been instrumental in key legislation to protect Alabamians when it comes to opioid abuse, and I know he will continue to uphold the law as he serves as the state’s top law enforcement official.”